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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






2. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






3. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






4. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






5. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






6. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






7. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






8. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






9. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






10. A composition written for eight instruments.






11. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






12. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






13. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






14. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






15. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






16. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






17. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






18. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






19. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






20. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






21. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






22. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






23. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






24. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






25. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






26. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






27. The structure of a piece of music.






28. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






29. Unmusical - without tone.






30. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






31. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






32. Closing section of a movement.






33. A reprise.






34. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






35. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






36. The highest female voice.






37. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






38. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






39. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






40. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






41. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






42. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






43. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






44. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






45. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






46. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






47. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






48. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






49. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






50. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.